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Good news for Hohokam. Mesa signed a three year deal with the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to host their championship baseball series. Let's hope the city dedicates a portion of their ticket revenues to helping rennovate the training facility so we can keep the Cubs in town.
Finding creative opportunities to attract out of town guests is a great way to expand the revenue base. Utilizing existing facilities as the starting point is a smart move. Mesa is full of opportunies like this. Why not a film festival at Riverview or the Mesa Arts Center? Why not host more adult leage baseball championships? Why not team up with the Temple and do some sort of Mesa's LDS roots tour? How about a sci-fi convention to go along with the tattoo convention?
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Mesa's Higher Education Opportunity
The Arizona Board of Regents are working on plans to make higher education more affordable to the students of Arizona. As part of this plan, they are exploring a whole cadre of options including starting a fourth university, converting a community college into a 4 year university, or working with the community colleges to offer the first two years of classes.
This is great news for Mesa, which could be poised to take full advantage of this movement and reach for an even bigger piece of higher education. First, Mesa Community College is the largest of the 10 community colleges in the Maricopa Coummunity College system. If the Regents are looking to buy and convert a community college, its the natural place to start. It is located across the street from a hospital which would help a medical program. It is also in the heart of the fiesta district, which is looking for a revival and would welcome an influx of students and student housing. If the regents decide to go this route, MCC should be a 4 year college.
If they decide to start splitting universities and decide to spin off NAU Yuma, why not do the same thing for ASU Poly? It is an issue that has been mentioned in the past. The Polytechnic campus is far too important for the future of the Gateway area to be sacrificed to keep the other ASU campuses whole. Polytechnic offers training to a particular workforce that isn't served by the other universities, and they could be the affordable education option for the entire southeast valley. If the regents are unwilling to spin off Polytechinic, perhaps they should sell it to a private university to help with their cashflow issues and allow someone else to operate it.
Finally, if the regents do decide to go in a completely different direction and build a fourth univesity, there should be a play to locate it in Downtown Mesa. We can see what ASU has done for Tempe, and downtown Mesa could receive a similar revival and preservation with something like that. In addition, it could keep all or part of the campus on the light rail line, which would further help development around transit throughout Mesa.
Any of these options would be a serious benefit to Mesa. However, in the end, they are probably likely to go with the path of least resistance and just move to having the community colleges handle the first two years of education, then the students would move on to the main campuses.
This is great news for Mesa, which could be poised to take full advantage of this movement and reach for an even bigger piece of higher education. First, Mesa Community College is the largest of the 10 community colleges in the Maricopa Coummunity College system. If the Regents are looking to buy and convert a community college, its the natural place to start. It is located across the street from a hospital which would help a medical program. It is also in the heart of the fiesta district, which is looking for a revival and would welcome an influx of students and student housing. If the regents decide to go this route, MCC should be a 4 year college.
If they decide to start splitting universities and decide to spin off NAU Yuma, why not do the same thing for ASU Poly? It is an issue that has been mentioned in the past. The Polytechnic campus is far too important for the future of the Gateway area to be sacrificed to keep the other ASU campuses whole. Polytechnic offers training to a particular workforce that isn't served by the other universities, and they could be the affordable education option for the entire southeast valley. If the regents are unwilling to spin off Polytechinic, perhaps they should sell it to a private university to help with their cashflow issues and allow someone else to operate it.
Finally, if the regents do decide to go in a completely different direction and build a fourth univesity, there should be a play to locate it in Downtown Mesa. We can see what ASU has done for Tempe, and downtown Mesa could receive a similar revival and preservation with something like that. In addition, it could keep all or part of the campus on the light rail line, which would further help development around transit throughout Mesa.
Any of these options would be a serious benefit to Mesa. However, in the end, they are probably likely to go with the path of least resistance and just move to having the community colleges handle the first two years of education, then the students would move on to the main campuses.
Mesa's No-Homicide Streak Ends
Mesa's longest streak without a homicide in almost 20 years came to an end Sunday when a man was found stabbed to death. It is not clear the cause of the murder, but its unfortunate that the streak had to come to an end.
As we mentioned almost a month ago, it appears that the crackdown on serious crimes appears to be working. Now, let's hope that the homicide rate stays low throughout the rest of the year. If Mesa can emerge as a relatively crimefree city as the economy recovers, we will be in an even better position to be competitive in the marketplace.
Gascon is still a controversial figure who should be made to answer for his faults in judgement, but even his detractors have to admit to the fact that he has done a good job of implementing programs which with the help of a dedicated police force, have made the streets safer.
As we mentioned almost a month ago, it appears that the crackdown on serious crimes appears to be working. Now, let's hope that the homicide rate stays low throughout the rest of the year. If Mesa can emerge as a relatively crimefree city as the economy recovers, we will be in an even better position to be competitive in the marketplace.
Gascon is still a controversial figure who should be made to answer for his faults in judgement, but even his detractors have to admit to the fact that he has done a good job of implementing programs which with the help of a dedicated police force, have made the streets safer.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Mesa's Penchant for Elections
The ruling in the Phoenix court battle over the number of signatures needed to call a referendum may lower the number of signatures needed to refer an item to the ballot in Mesa. The real fact of the matter is that the number needed is pretty low in the first place - if, for example, you take 10% for the last Mayor's race, that is still only about 5000 signatures.
It probably doesn't matter much anyway, because Mesa has Section 613 of the City Charter which was passed in 2004. It says:
... the City shall not expend public funds, grant tax concessions or relief, or incur any form of debt in an amount greater than one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000), and/or exchange or grant City-owned land of a fair market value in excess of one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to construct or aid in the construction of any amphitheater, sports complex, cultural or entertainment facility, arena, stadium, convention facility, or multi-purpose facility without approval of the majority of the electorate voting thereon at the next ensuing election.
Thus, the council is pretty well boxed in on what they can do, because this has such a large definition. Hence the slew of elections for things like Waveyard and Gaylord (I found out about this law after it was referenced in the ballot language). For example, if Mesa did decide to do something about about spring training where any city money would be involved, it would most likely have to go to the voters. Same thing if say, they wanted to attract a Major League Soccer team or replace Mesa amphitheater with a newer more modern version in an area where people could have concerts that last later than 8pm.
In fact, voters don't really need to go out and collect signatures for every much, because if the city is at all involved, all they need to do is try to apply 613 to the deal. Heck, anything can be called a "multi-purpose facility." This type of a law is not normal, and no other city in the valley has this sort of limitation. Other cities have the threat of referendum, especially with these lowered numbers, but a guaranteed election could halt projects in Mesa and encourage people to take their money elsewhere and even if they decide to go through with the project, it adds to the timeline to wait around for the next election.
Voters in Mesa should be more concerned about 613 than any changes to the referendum process.
It probably doesn't matter much anyway, because Mesa has Section 613 of the City Charter which was passed in 2004. It says:
... the City shall not expend public funds, grant tax concessions or relief, or incur any form of debt in an amount greater than one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000), and/or exchange or grant City-owned land of a fair market value in excess of one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to construct or aid in the construction of any amphitheater, sports complex, cultural or entertainment facility, arena, stadium, convention facility, or multi-purpose facility without approval of the majority of the electorate voting thereon at the next ensuing election.
Thus, the council is pretty well boxed in on what they can do, because this has such a large definition. Hence the slew of elections for things like Waveyard and Gaylord (I found out about this law after it was referenced in the ballot language). For example, if Mesa did decide to do something about about spring training where any city money would be involved, it would most likely have to go to the voters. Same thing if say, they wanted to attract a Major League Soccer team or replace Mesa amphitheater with a newer more modern version in an area where people could have concerts that last later than 8pm.
In fact, voters don't really need to go out and collect signatures for every much, because if the city is at all involved, all they need to do is try to apply 613 to the deal. Heck, anything can be called a "multi-purpose facility." This type of a law is not normal, and no other city in the valley has this sort of limitation. Other cities have the threat of referendum, especially with these lowered numbers, but a guaranteed election could halt projects in Mesa and encourage people to take their money elsewhere and even if they decide to go through with the project, it adds to the timeline to wait around for the next election.
Voters in Mesa should be more concerned about 613 than any changes to the referendum process.
Full Day Kindergarten will live on
Even if the state does cut funding to all-day k in their upcoming budget, most schools have developed back-up plans to keep the program in place. This is great news, especially for those who have kids who will soon be old enough to go to school. Like it or not, all day kindergarten is a very popular program, and one of the few things that have come along in the past few years to address the growing education divide between the United States and other coutries.
Again, this is great news, but one still has to ask: if they were able to find a plan to keep this program funded, why didn't they do this in the first place? Its the same question we had when they started tweaking the start times. When there is not a motivation to find savings, people tend not to look for them.
The result is the perpetuation of the idea that there is always more that can be cut. Everyone has an anecdote of a project or spending mistake that they have witnessed that shows a waste of taxpayer dollars. The result is, many people share the idea that there is always room for more cuts - and they are proven right, time and again.
Again, this is great news, but one still has to ask: if they were able to find a plan to keep this program funded, why didn't they do this in the first place? Its the same question we had when they started tweaking the start times. When there is not a motivation to find savings, people tend not to look for them.
The result is the perpetuation of the idea that there is always more that can be cut. Everyone has an anecdote of a project or spending mistake that they have witnessed that shows a waste of taxpayer dollars. The result is, many people share the idea that there is always room for more cuts - and they are proven right, time and again.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Museums to live on
The Mesa Historical Museum and the Arizona Museum for Youth will be merged and housed downtown with the highly successful Cactus League exhibit coming along. Its not clear on what will happen to the old school house that currently serves as the home of the historical museum, but overall, the notion of centralizing all of the museums into downtown is a smart move.
There is a fine line to walk here between maintaining cultural amenities and catering to the changing needs of the community. I am sure that there are people who will say that the Historical Museum should be left alone, but lets be honest - museums, for the most part, are a quality of life amenity that must be subsidized by either the cities or other organizations. We know that Mesa has had major economic troubles, so from the "glass full" perspective, its good that Mesa is able to keep any museums open at all.
In addition, with the success of the Cactus League exhibit, it makes sense for them to look for a permanent home for it. Give people what they want to see. If something is successful and is attracting people to Mesa, put it in the most centralized location possible, make it easy to find, and encourage people to shop and stop for a bite to eat while they are there.
There is a fine line to walk here between maintaining cultural amenities and catering to the changing needs of the community. I am sure that there are people who will say that the Historical Museum should be left alone, but lets be honest - museums, for the most part, are a quality of life amenity that must be subsidized by either the cities or other organizations. We know that Mesa has had major economic troubles, so from the "glass full" perspective, its good that Mesa is able to keep any museums open at all.
In addition, with the success of the Cactus League exhibit, it makes sense for them to look for a permanent home for it. Give people what they want to see. If something is successful and is attracting people to Mesa, put it in the most centralized location possible, make it easy to find, and encourage people to shop and stop for a bite to eat while they are there.
Pro's Ranch Market opens
Pro's Ranch Market, a hispanic targetted grocery store, opened to long lines and great fanfare in Mesa. With so many stores going out of business, it is cause to celebrate when people are willing to take a chance to open something new in this current climate. No word on how many of the employees are Mesa residents, but as we have said before, the location should help.
I do have to take writer Ed Taylor to task, however, for including the somewhat skeptical quote:
Come on Ed, there is a line of people around the block, mariachis are playing, and over 400 new jobs are coming to Mesa and that is the most supportive quote you can find? Its assumed that everyone hope that their new store will stay nice. Its probably said every time a Wal-Mart opens or every time someone finds a Goodwill remarkably clean, but by including the quote, its almost an implication that this store may become a blight over time.
Let's focus on the positives here. For more about Pro's Ranch Market, visit their website.
I do have to take writer Ed Taylor to task, however, for including the somewhat skeptical quote:
"It's a nice, big store, and clean, with lots of employees," said Maria Mirramontes, one of the early customers. "I hope it stays this way."
Come on Ed, there is a line of people around the block, mariachis are playing, and over 400 new jobs are coming to Mesa and that is the most supportive quote you can find? Its assumed that everyone hope that their new store will stay nice. Its probably said every time a Wal-Mart opens or every time someone finds a Goodwill remarkably clean, but by including the quote, its almost an implication that this store may become a blight over time.
Let's focus on the positives here. For more about Pro's Ranch Market, visit their website.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Defending Mesa against legislative budget gimmicks
Thank you to Mayor Scott Smith and everyone else who is standing up to speak out against the latest legislative budget proposal. The outpouring of opposition has sent legislators back into hiding scrambling to throw out explanations as to why their latest misstep makes sense.
Meanwhile, the latest bit of intrigue is the fact that this scheme was actually hatched by the homebuilders, as another blow in their battle to eliminate impact fees. Of course, homebuilders should be held harmless, they didn't create the housing bubble one bit!
So, this comes down to a battle between the homebuilders and the cities, and the legislature was foolish enough to get themselves trapped in the middle. Meanwhile, they have no explanations for their actions and have cancelled two hearings regarding the budget.
As the voters of Mesa, we already approved the first property tax in 50 years to pay for critical public safety and street needs. It is not the time to be forced to turn around and ask the voters for more money because the legislature has taken it all.
Meanwhile, the latest bit of intrigue is the fact that this scheme was actually hatched by the homebuilders, as another blow in their battle to eliminate impact fees. Of course, homebuilders should be held harmless, they didn't create the housing bubble one bit!
So, this comes down to a battle between the homebuilders and the cities, and the legislature was foolish enough to get themselves trapped in the middle. Meanwhile, they have no explanations for their actions and have cancelled two hearings regarding the budget.
As the voters of Mesa, we already approved the first property tax in 50 years to pay for critical public safety and street needs. It is not the time to be forced to turn around and ask the voters for more money because the legislature has taken it all.
Update on Mesa's goats
Good news from Mesa's goats: they are doing their job and they haven't been attacked by transients. This is a follow up from earlier this year when it was announced that goats would be used to remove brush and weeds from Mesa's treatment plant. It is clearly a "green" solution that appears to be working while saving the city $10,000. Great job!Again, kudos to the guy who thought of a way to get paid and feed his goats. This should be a lesson to any agriculture classes that still exist at the high schools in Mesa Public Schools, perhaps they should be raising goats to clean up weeds and having the proceeds to go to MPS. Perhaps this would help reduce the costs of their latest proposed override.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Legislators forsake cities in latest budget attempt
Like many in the East Valley, we were happy when Mesa Representative Kirk Adams was named Speaker of the House. In fact, we offered him congratulations and said, "Hopefully, this will allow Mesa and the East Valley to have a greater influence and some greater attention paid to our needs."
As the budget debate heated up, we implored Speaker Adams and Senator Russell Pearce, who is chairman of the Senate appropriations committee, to look to Mesa for ideas on how to solve the budget challenges. Needless to say, their latest plan is NOT what we had in mind.
To put in bluntly, the Legislature's latest plan balances the budget on the back of the local taxpayers by merely shifting the burden. This is a cowardly grab of local and school monies to fill a hole that the legislature is otherwise unwilling to fill. They have said that they are philisophically against taxes, and it looks like they have finally seen the hypocracy in being against borrowing before they were for it, so in the end, they decided to make some one else deal with the problem.
Our greatest disappointment in this process is directed at Adams and Pearce because they are Mesa residents and they already know what Mesa has had to go through. So far, Mesa has had to make some of the biggest cuts of all, and they already went to the voters last year to a secondary property tax for several specific projects. These monies that they are going after are already committed to other projects or are being used to pay back things that are already built.
So how would Mesa cover these costs? How can they go back to their homes and look at their neighbors in Mesa and say that they have done the right thing?
As the budget debate heated up, we implored Speaker Adams and Senator Russell Pearce, who is chairman of the Senate appropriations committee, to look to Mesa for ideas on how to solve the budget challenges. Needless to say, their latest plan is NOT what we had in mind.
To put in bluntly, the Legislature's latest plan balances the budget on the back of the local taxpayers by merely shifting the burden. This is a cowardly grab of local and school monies to fill a hole that the legislature is otherwise unwilling to fill. They have said that they are philisophically against taxes, and it looks like they have finally seen the hypocracy in being against borrowing before they were for it, so in the end, they decided to make some one else deal with the problem.
Our greatest disappointment in this process is directed at Adams and Pearce because they are Mesa residents and they already know what Mesa has had to go through. So far, Mesa has had to make some of the biggest cuts of all, and they already went to the voters last year to a secondary property tax for several specific projects. These monies that they are going after are already committed to other projects or are being used to pay back things that are already built.
So how would Mesa cover these costs? How can they go back to their homes and look at their neighbors in Mesa and say that they have done the right thing?
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